• Leave word with a responsible person where you are going and when you
will return. As an alternative you may also register your trip at any of
the Kananaskis Country Visitor Information Centres.
• To report an emergency phone 911.
• Report all sightings of bears, cougars or wolves to Kananaskis Emergency
Services at (403) 591-7755.
• Research the route you plan to take.
• Check local weather forecasts before you go and be prepared for sudden
changes in the mountain weather. Snow is possible every month of the year.
• Check with the Visitor Information Centres for current trail conditions
and potential wildlife concerns.
• Leave all valuables at home. Vehicle break-ins can occur.
• Fires are permitted only where metal fire rings are provided.
• Only burn wood provided but be aware that supplies may be short. Collecting
and burning dead wood is not permitted. Cooking with a portable stove is
recommended.
• If you choose to have a fire, be sure it’s completely extinguished before
you go to sleep or leave camp.
• An axe is provided at the woodpile for splitting wood.
• Pack out all food waste and garbage. Leftover food should not be buried,
dumped in the outhouse, or burned. • Do not clean pots and dishes in any
water source; instead, carry water a good distance away and wash your dishes,
then dump grey water in the outhouse.
• Wash or bathe at least 50 metres from any water source.
• Keep all food, garbage, toiletry items (soap, toothpaste, etc) and clothing
used while cooking out of the reach of bears. Hang food bags on the racks
or store it in the lockers provided. Always secure your food before you
go to sleep or leave camp. Never store food in your tent.
• When hiking, urinate at least 50 metres from a trail and any water source.
• When hiking, defecate in a cathole 15-20 cm deep and 50 metres from the
trail or any water source. Bury your waste then replace the topsoil.
• Pack out toliet paper or dispose of it in the campground outhouse.
• If you are travelling on snow or ice, or in the high alpine, we recommend
that you pack out your waste.
• While at camp use the outhouse to urinate or defecate.
• Stay on established trails whenever possible to avoid trail braiding.
• The picking and collection of wildflowers or other vegetation (including
deadfall) rocks, fossils or artefacts is not permitted.
• Share the trail with other users. During a break, step off the trail so
others can pass.
• Do not litter, including cigarette butts, seed shells and tissue.
• Occasional shouting will warn wildlife that you are in the area. This
is especially important near noisy creeks and in dense forest. Shouts are
more effective than a bell, whistle or horn.
• If you decide to take your dog into the backcountry, it must be on a leash
at all times. Pack out or bury its waste. Remember that wildlife regard
your pet as either prey or a predator
Backcountry camping permits are required at all designated backcountry
campgrounds in Kananaskis Country. Random backcountry camping without a
permit is allowed in most Wildland Provincial Parks (excepting Sparrow Hawk
and Memorial Lakes areas) and Provincial Forest Lands.
Backcountry camping permits cost $12.00 per person (aged 16 and older) per
night. A non-refundable reservation fee of $10.00 (GST included) will be
applied to all telephone and advance bookings. These fees are used to offset
the cost of the Kananaskis Country backcountry camping and trails program.
Persons under 16 years of age are not required to pay the fee, but do require
a permit.
Permits can be purchased in person at Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre
and the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Visitor Information Centre during
normal hours of operation.
To purchase a permit by phone contact 403-678-3136 (In Alberta toll-free
by first dialing 310-0000). It is always a good idea to phone ahead to ensure
that you can obtain a campsite.
Please note that 48 hours notice of cancellation is required for a refund
of camping permit fee.